Zimi Alhassan, the Upper East Regional Agriculture Extension Agent (AEA), wants the government to restructure the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) programme to shift focus from supply of subsidised fertilisers to managing post-harvest losses. This he said could be done through proper arrangements to buy produce from farmers and store them accordingly.
The strategy, if adopted, he said will allow producers of fertilisers to produce to meet quality control standards. It could also serve as a means to curb smuggling.
“This year the kind of fertilisers supplied to farmers through the PFJ policy were substandard all in the name of producing in high quantities rather than quality. It was a big worry to us as extension officers and farmers alike. The competition amongst these producers was not there, so I think with a market-driven initiative, the quality of fertilisers will be observed.”
Mr. Zimi is the Upper East Regional Extension Officer and made the call at a stakeholder engagement organised by the department.
The engagement brought together stakeholders in agriculture to discuss issues and measures that will improve farming activities amongst farmers especially those at the rural levels.
Source: A1radioonline.com|101.1 MHz|Moses Apiah|Ghana
